Uruguay star breaking off interview to address fan brawl sums up why Darwin Nunez took action

Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez's shock was plain to see as he passionately defended his teammates - including Liverpool's Darwin Nunez - mid interview after they were involved in a brawl in the stands at Copa America.

Columbia prevailed with a 1-0 victory in what was a tense encounter on the field in the tournament semi-final but the events on the pitch were largely marred by the scenes in the stands afterwards. An ugly melee ensued after Uruguay's fate was confirmed, with several players entering the terraces as a fight took place between rival supporters.

Ronald Araujo, Matias Vina and Mathias Olivera joined teammate Nunez in entering the crowd, with the Reds forward on the receiving end of some punches. The Anfield star also defended himself as he got involved in a skirmish with supporters clad in opposition jerseys at Bank of America Stadium.

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The Uruguay players were left shaken by the events, with the shock of the aforementioned Gimenez clear as he stopped mid-sentence during an on-pitch interview as he addressed the scenes in the stands. Halting in his tracks, he said: "Sorry because I know they're going to cut me off and cut you off soon.

"Please be careful - because there are families in the stands - that there is not an avalanche. Colombian fans in a certain section descended on all our families. I'm going to say it now, because i know that I can say it even if they cut it- this is a disaster. Our families were in danger.

"We had to rush into the stands to remove our loved ones with tiny newborn babies. It’s a total disaster, he continued, as he struggled to contain his anger. "There wasn’t a single police officer. They showed up half an hour later. A disaster. And we were there, standing up for ourselves, for our loved ones."

In a final parting shot towards the tournament's organizers, he added: "I hope that when they are organizing this that they take a little more care and look out for the families, for the people and their surroundings and the stadiums. This is a disaster because it happens every game. I hope that they are more careful in the next games and don't let it happen [again]."

As the fallout from the incident continues, governing body CONMEBOL released a statement on the matter which read: "CONMEBOL strongly condemns any act of violence that affects football.

"Our work is based on the conviction that football connects us and unites us, through its positive values. There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all their passion into cheering on their teams and having an unforgettable party."

AUF president Ignacio Alonso said. "The players reacted instinctively to what is natural, which is to defend and protect the children that were in that part of the stands, the women who were being assaulted, the wives, fathers, children and brothers who were there."